Five Americans Arrested in Pakistan. – Associated Press

At least one man is from my city, Alexandria, VA and all the men disappeared in November and were turned into the FBI by their families living here in Northern Virginia.

This is almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg. It is obvious that there are dimensions to this insanity that we simply do not understand. More to follow I am sure.

The A.P. reports in this article, Petraeus reveals boost in US counterterror effort , that the U.S. is ramping up it’s counter terrorism efforts in Afghanistan and elsewhere to handle the irreconcilables among those who we consider dangerous.

In this story from Politics Daily, Republicans, Independents Make the Difference in Support for Obama on Afghanistan, we learn that Democrats simply do not support the war effort in any numbers. This will eventually work to dilute the President’s influence on both domestic and foreign policy areas of concern.

The Washington Post today is running an unusual story about the children of World War II German soldiers who were occupation troops throughout Europe in World War II. It is called ‘We were the children of monsters’ and it is an incredbile insight into the children of war and the life-long effects of war upon their mindset.

In this story from the Post, Pay increase for Afghan troops boosts interest , we learn that the recent U.S. backed pay raise for soldiers and policemen in Afghanistan has increased their recruitment applications tremendously. I wonder if that will hold once the casualty rates start pouring in?  The desertion rate is historically very high in the Afghan armed forces.

And finally in this compelling article we learn that the former Catholic bishop who turned President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, is in the uncomfortable position of sending troops into the mountains to hunt down former students of his own.

President Lugo was a major proponent of Catholic Liberation Theology when he was a bishop in Paraguay. This ideology came out of Vatican II in the 1960s and basically teaches that you have an obligation as a Christian to make the world right, even if you must use force against percieved evil.

His students have taken him at his word. Many oppose his government and are members of revolutionary bands throughout the country seeking to overthrow the government. Now president, Lugo is sending special forces into the mountains to hunt these guerillas down. One is a former altar boy of Lugo.  They know each other well.

The story is entitled Bishop-turned-president tested in Paraguay and it is provokes much thought. It shows quite clearly that "putting your principles where your mouth is" can be a very difficult matter.  Things are not always clear are they? 

Veterans certainly know that much.  When have decisions been easy for us?  I can relate to this story on a very deep level for some reason.

Get informed and stay informed. An informed veteran is a comfort to his friends and a danger to his adversaries.

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)